Mr. Harris

Ecclesiastes 5:18, 5:19, 5:20

5:18-Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

5:19-Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of god.

5:20-For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

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While Ecclesiastes is generally considered the story of King Solomon's life as he looks back on how he lived it, this part of the verse stands out to me most of all.

To me, God is saying that it is alright to enjoy the fruits of your labor, and he wants you to eat and drink and be happy for the things you have earned. More importantly it is reminding you that while doing these things, it is most important to not forget the source of all your successes, and that the successes in this life are swift and fleeting, and it would be shortsighted indeed to mistake them or abuse them and endanger the eternal goal.

Mr. Harris